AUS vs. INDIA Test Match: In the fourth Test match against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, young all-rounders Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy put up a valiant comeback on day three, leading India to 326/7.
Australia dominated the opening half, but Nitish Kumar Reddy gave India hope with a forceful 40-run performance from 61 balls at lunchtime.
Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant got off to a strong start until Pant tried to hit Scott Boland, which regrettably resulted in his dismissal and left India down by an overwhelming 280 runs.
Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s century-long partnership did not help India win. India’s hope rests on Ravindra Jadeja’s development from the last Gabba Test and Rishabh Pant’s prior performance.
India put up a strong fight under Reddy’s leadership, but Australia won the first half after getting the wickets of important batsmen Pant and Jadeja, leaving India with just their final recognised batting combination.
With India at 244/7 and still 230 runs behind Australia, Reddy’s impressive effort saw him collect 40 off 61 balls as lunch was declared. Even though Reddy got off to a good start, India’s approach was characterised by dangerous moves between wickets.
Rain pauses the proceedings as AUS is surprised by Reddy and Sundar’s stand
When light rain prompted tea to be taken 15 minutes early, Reddy scored his first Test half-century in cloudy conditions, staying undefeated at 85.
As the pair maintained an uninterrupted eighth-wicket partnership of 105 runs, Sundar offered strong assistance by batting resolutely at 40 off 115 balls.
Their efforts made it possible for India to surpass the follow-on mark and thwart the Australian attack, even though they were still behind by 148 runs.
The two maintained their poise throughout the second session, navigating the second new ball and supporting Australia’s attempt to win the match, which would give them a 2-1 series lead going into the final Test in Sydney.
Reddy, who batted at number eight, was consistently excellent in his first series. Following multiple near misses, the 21-year-old’s 264 runs have come at an excellent average of 66.
This innings marks his first Test fifty. Against 119 balls, he smashed eight fours and a six, his eighth maximum of the series, by combining strong defence with graceful stroke play.
After missing the second and third Test matches, Sundar made a comeback to the team. Initially called up for his off-spin, he showed his batting tenacity.
When a flick off Mitchell Starc’s leg-sided delivery bounced off the back of his bat on 18, the 25-year-old almost avoided death. In the slip cordon, a diving Steve Smith was unable to maintain a one-handed opportunity.
Earlier, India lost Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja in the opening session, starting the day at 164/5 and moving up to 244/7 by lunchtime.
Scott Boland, who has stats of 3/49, dismissed Pant after he had produced a rapid 28 off 37 balls. Nathan Lyon caught the top-edged ramp shot that halted Pant’s forceful knock at third man.
Jadeja took a more measured approach, opening his account with 18 balls, but Lyon caught him leg-before wicket for 17 when he misjudged a one that slipped on.
India was suffering due to a rush of wickets, which put Australia in a winning position and might give them a 2-1 lead in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. India trailed Australia by 310 runs at the end of the second day with a live score of 164/5.
Under such circumstances, Pant and Jadeja would take against Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.
Even with an imposing 310-run line against Australia’s strong information attack, the hope is maintained by the surviving batting tandem of Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar, both of whom are outstanding players.
The weather may still have an impact on India’s attempts to further close the deficit, as intermittent showers are predicted for the afternoon.